Part Time JOb

[Jigs Wife]

Hi,

looking for imput....I need to take a part time job to help the ends meet around here, but I am affraid it will knock me out of possibly getting my disability. I spoke to my attorney today, and he said to try a part time job for no more than 2 months to get us through this hard time, and it shouldn't affect my chances. I am still affraid to do this, but there is more month than money in the household right now, we have used most all of our savings, I haven't worked in over a year. Any advice? Suggestions? Rich uncles? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif

Thanks!

Jigs

[raggedyann1]

Jigs,

I am surprised your attorney recommended that you take a short term job. Once you work it changes your disabled date and can cause the paperwork to start all over again. while it is true that you must NOT be able to work full time to be approved I would think a part time job could mess things up.

If you need help with bills and such there are several charities that can be of help. Catholic Charities, Jewish something, Methodist church has one, salvation army can often help as well. Take advantage of the food closets in your area which will save your cash for other bills. The electric, gas and phone companies all have programs for low income households as well. check at your local hospital for a social worker, they often have very complete lists of available help specifically in your area.

Have a garage sale to raise some cash. Go shopping at thrift stores for absolutely needed items like childrens clothing.

That is the direction I would go so I wouldn't mess up my SSDI application.

Karen

[Jigs Wife]

I have garaged sold everything that wasn't nailed down, cancelled my cell phone, and all the extras on my home phone, except internet, I buy food in bulk and cook at home, we just don't eat out anymore. My house has been on the market for sale for the last 9 months, I have sold baked goods for the holidays, I have done everything I could think of to help with the money situation....and as far as low income, we don't fit in any of the brackets. Our bills are pre-lupus. I actually had a great job before the lupus, and my husband still has a great job. Its just by the time we make our mortgage payment, (which was based on both incomes at the time), and 2 car payments, along with utilities, there is just nothing left over. My attorney told me it could be months or years before I got a date for my hearing. I feel really torn. In this 'most wonderful time of the year", I am broke! I got a call just a bit ago from a store, they offered me part time at the cashregister, with a chair. I told them about the lupus, and they are willing to accomodate. But to be honest with you guys, I don't even know if I can do 6 hours a day....even with a chair. I guess I will pray about it and give it a good nites sleep, and make some sort of a decission in the morning. Thanks for listening.......

comments still welcome.

[dudley]

I agree 100% with Karen. Working even part time can seriously alter your disability. I am too suprise that your attorney gave you that advice. It is not easy to get social security but if they can make a claim that you can do any kind of work that will bring in (forget the exact amount-a little above 500 per month) you are eligble to work. you can sheck out the amount on the ss web site.

Why do you have an attorney involved at this stage of the game? You really don't need one until you have been denied 2 times and are going for a hearing.

read up on the social security system for disability. If you desperately need money sell something else. Give up a car. I know that it is easier said than done but I have been through it myself. If you have an IRA you can probably cash it in to get you buy. Check with your bank, this attorney you have and if you have an accountant.

good luck elaine

[Jigs Wife]

I have been denied twice, thats why I went to the attorney.....I got a letter last month saying that I am going to be granted a hearing. But how long will that take? Maybe we can tuff it out........I do have one more sorce of a little money with a line of equity that we have on our house, but that will just make another payment next month. DANG THIS LUPUS!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hissy1.gif Our life was going good, living the middleclass dream, house, fence, 2 kids, then BAM! Stuck in bed most of the day, everyday!!!! I HATE FEELING THIS WAY style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tantrum.gif

Thanks for your input, we will make Christmas happen somehow....I just know now that I am not gonna blow the nearly 2 years of not working by taking a part time job that I don't feel like doing anyway!
Thank you Friends! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif

[londonteatime]

Oh, Jigs, I am SO SORRY! It angers me to no end that one of the richest countries in the world will do this to its citizens. I'm struggling through my last two weeks at work and will be applying for SS-D at the end of the month and I'm scared of facing a similar situation. I'm a single mum so we'll have no income.

I have savings that will last almost two years if I'm very careful. Here are some ideas I have if worse comes to worse:

-- Selling my car and buying a cheap used one. I have a 2005 Saab that I bought in 2004 before things went to ****. It should still fetch a decent amount of money.

-- Taking in a renter. I do have a spare bedroom. It would be hard to share my house with a stranger but you have to do what you have to do.

-- Selling things on Ebay.

-- Tutoring children in reading and writing a few hours per week.

-- Offering after-school care for a few older children in the neighborhood. I could never handle little ones, but 7+ wouldn't be bad for two hours or so. I have a fenced backyard so they could play safely and I could help them with their homework, give them a snack, etc. Hahahahaha, maybe I could get lucky and get some little girls who might do a few things around the house for me, too! I can dream....

If you even AGREED to work six hours as a cashier -- even if you doubt you can do it -- that would KILL your SS-D case! That would tell them you can probably work! OMG, just getting up and getting dressed for work exhausts me these days. When I get there, I'm already tired and it goes downhill from there. I can't WAIT to be done. I haven't worked a whole week in months. I'm struggling to get there 3 days per week and I'm often having to leave early. Still, the whole SS-D process depresses me.

I do hope this ends for you soon and you are approved for benefits! The holidays are so depressing for folks who are struggling.

ulie

[Rene]

I agree with the others! Don't work part time. I don't know for sure,but they will probably use it against you! It is very hard to get approved period!! Most people are denied twice and then have to get a attorney and go to court or have a law judge look the file over. From what I have read and seen,most of these cases have good medical records and diseases that are listed on the ssda web site. So just think of this, If they won't even read most records and they turn most people down period!! These are people that are not working(like us)Then if we work at all I just have to believe that they will say that you can work. I could be wrong, but it is better to be safe than sorry..... No matter what, please don't give up!!!!! I was turned down twice!! I hired a attorney and the judge approved me. It took over two years. Believe me, we are still in debt!! I wish you the best!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif